How-To Geek

I don't like to think about how much I've spent on my smart home over the years. Some smart home devices, such as Zigbee sensors, can be incredibly cheap, but a lot of smart home tech comes with a higher price tag. I don't have the money to do everything I want to my smart home, but if I did, I know where I'd start.

Excel's built-in slicer styles are like pre-packaged airplane sandwiches: they get the job done, but they haven't changed in years and aren't exactly exciting. But with a little-known duplication trick, you can escape these bland presets and create high-end, custom dashboards.

I've had my Kindle for more than a decade, and it's served me well during that time. That's why I was disappointed to learn that Amazon was going to be ending support for my model. I decided to remove Amazon from my Kindle, and I wish I'd done it sooner.

You've probably seen the meme where a guy opens all the popular AI chatbots in different browser tabs, gives them the same coding prompt, checks the output of each, and then copies the best one. For a moment, I thought I'd do the same experiment. So, I chose three of the most popular AIs and gave them the same problem to solve. Here's how each one performed.

USB-C was supposed to be the one. One cable, one port, any device. Just plug it in and it should work. The reality has turned out to be a little different than promised.

There are so many streaming platforms out there, each with their own shows to watch. Whether it’s an HBO subscription or maybe a Netflix subscription, every site seems to have something new. But today, I’m not going to talk about new live-action films or television. No, I’m going to talk about anime, one of my favorite genres.

I have long looked forward to the arrival of Android-based desktop modes, and Google has finally released one for Pixel phones—but it's still a far cry from the experience you find in Samsung DeX. Here are some ways Google's implementation just isn't the same.

Although there are things you can always do to ensure you receive the best service at any car dealership, rising fuel costs and higher vehicle prices have made it a challenge for anyone looking to replace their current vehicle.

The type of NAND you choose for your SSD makes all the difference when it comes to performance, but sometimes, SSD manufacturers will have party tricks to help you boost your performance. One of those party tricks is SLC cache. And it actually does make a difference.

Love him or hate him, Seth MacFarlane has an immovable place in the realm of TV comedy, and Ted is an excellent showcase for the writer at his best. A seasoned actor and writer of over 3 decades, he has created numerous hit productions, including adult animation tentpoles like Family Guy and American Dad!, as well as The Orville.

ESP32 projects are a tinkerer's dream. They're cheap to build, incredibly flexible, and can be quick to put together. There are plenty of ESP32 projects that you can build in an hour or less.

Calculating percentages in Excel often means wrestling with absolute cell references and division symbols. But why do the work when a built-in tool can do it for you? By using the PivotTable Show Values As option, you can calculate complex ratios in seconds without typing a single formula.

Computer storage has always been a problem. There never seems to be enough of it. Just as we get bigger disks and drives, file sizes swell to accommodate them. So you can imagine in the '90s what a chore it was to move large media files or make backups when all you have are 1.44MB floppy disks.

How much do you think about the resale value of your smartphone? I know that for some people, this is something they are a little obsessed about. After all, you just paid hundreds or even thousands for a new phone, and you want it to stay in perfect condition until the day you're done with it.

There was a moment when it felt as if the world were consumed by Marvel streaming shows. No matter what time of year it was, you could always count on Disney+ to have some kind of new Marvel show streaming on its platform. And then, after some time, it finally slowed down.

I witness many of my smart home automations in action multiple times a day. Every time I walk into my home office, my lights turn on and my Mac wakes, and I can see it happening in front of me. There's one automation that I set up some time ago, and most of the time I completely forget that it's running.

“There’s an app for that!” We’ve all heard this slogan before, and it’s usually true. Apps have replaced many single-purpose products, but that doesn’t always mean they’re better. Some physical items are actually easier and more convenient than tapping a screen.

The BMW X3 has spent years turning itself into one of the safest picks in the compact luxury SUV world. It blends strong performance, comfort, and everyday practicality so well that for many buyers, it became the default choice rather than just another option.

If you walk through my house, you’ll see plenty of Roku gear. I've got Roku TVs and a couple of streaming sticks, and for the most part, they do exactly what they're supposed to do. They're simple, they're familiar, and they're good enough for most people. And honestly, if you just want something that works the same way every time you turn on the TV, that familiarity is hard to beat.

Finding the perfect shop vac can be the difference between a quick cleanup and a time-consuming mess, and that's before we even talk about cordless vs corded vacs from all your favorite tool brands. Whether you're a professional contractor or a weekend DIYer, choosing the right one is tough. Here are some of the best-performing models from Milwaukee to RIDGID.